NCL Cancels Innovative New-Build Project

Norwegian Cruise Line, which had announced last December its plans to build the industry's first all-outside-cabins-get-a-balcony ship, has canceled the deal. A statement from Aker Finnyards, the Finland-based shipyard with whom NCL had signed a letter of intent, noted that "the parties have not been able to realize the project within the given restraints."

Indeed, in a separate statement, NCL confirmed that "discussions with Aker Finnyard regarding the ... new ship ... have ended amicably and by mutual consent" but that the two "have agreed to continue discussions concerning other projects and to reduce the priority of this Panamax vessel project for now."

While disappointing (this ship would have been an entirely new design in the industry), by no means does this mean NCL is suffering a construction slowdown. Currently, its Pride of America is within two months of launch, and Norwegian Jewel debuts later this summer. Also on order are Pride of Hawaii, which will be completed next spring, and an as-yet-unnamed sibling to Norwegian Jewel. That ship is expected to launch in February 2007.